A comprehensive theoretical model of contemplative prayer and its use as an adjunct to psychotherapy is presented. The model is based on a review of the literature on prayer, mysticism, and meditation because contemplative prayer is related to all three areas. Contemplative prayer is defined as a particular form of Christian prayer in which one gives one's full attention to relating to God in a passive, nondefensive, nondemanding, open way. It is concluded that contemplative prayer should be used as an adjunct to psychotherapy only when spiritual development is a treatment goal. Given a biblical understanding of the nature of prayer, it is inappropriate to use a form of prayer simply for desensitization or anxiety reduction.
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Finney et al. (1985) studied this question.
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